Chapter 190 - 112: The Flawless Advent of Chengxuan, A Millennial Grace and a Singular Dao

Chapter 190: Chapter 112: The Flawless Advent of Chengxuan, A Millennial Grace and a Singular Dao

Yu Du had suggested switching Yue Yujie’s opponent to Xuzhuang. His intention was to use this legendary, once-in-a-generation talent to temper Yue Yujie and smooth out his rough edges. Seeing him react this way was rather unexpected. ’With such spirit,’ Yu Du thought to himself, ’even if Junior Brother Yue loses today, he will only become sharper for it. It seems I misjudged the situation.’

Despite this, a look of profound gratification appeared in Yu Du’s eyes, and he did not intervene.

Then, Yue Yujie rose to his feet and announced in a clear voice to Han Wang, "Senior Brother Han, I have long admired Fellow Daoist Xu’s reputation. Since he is here, during the duels later, would it be possible to allow me to ask for his guidance?"

Although Yue Yujie rarely left his sect, he wasn’t foolish enough to bluntly demand a different opponent. Still, he knew his request would inevitably cause the Sword Step Master to lose face. He glanced over at her after speaking, but she remained cold and aloof, her gaze fixed outside the pavilion, not a flicker of emotion in her eyes.

Seated in the place of honor, Han Wang was slightly surprised by Yue Yujie’s words. His gaze swept over Yu Du’s face. Seeing Yu Du’s silent smile, he understood the Yuxiao sect’s position and fell into thought.

The Tai Su Sect didn’t place much importance on winning or losing such contests. However, since Han Wang was presiding, a victory would reflect well on his capabilities.

Han Wang mused, ’If we swap in Junior Brother Xu, the win will likely be even cleaner and more spectacular. However...’ A faint smile touched his lips as he replied, "Junior Brother Yue’s request is not impossible."

Just as Yue Yujie felt a surge of delight, Han Wang’s tone shifted. "However, this matter has not been discussed with Junior Brother Xu beforehand. Whether or not it happens will depend on his own willingness. Is that acceptable to you?"

Yue Yujie’s expression turned solemn. He cupped his hands and replied, "I will abide by Senior Brother Han’s arrangements."

Han Wang nodded and summoned a disciple to his side. "Go to the pavilion where Junior Brother Sun is," he instructed, "and inform Junior Brother Xu of what has transpired here. Ask him if he consents."

The disciple acknowledged the order and hurried to the edge of the pavilion, summoning a Magical Artifact to fly off. Yu Du suddenly smiled. "In that case, let us watch the current match while we await the news." He gestured to the fight in the arena below and praised, "Brother Han, your sect’s new generation is truly brimming with talent."

The third match was currently underway in the arena. One of the combatants was a disciple from the Nangong Family, an ancient and powerful clan within the Tai Su Sect. However, at this moment, the clan disciple did not have the upper hand.

His opponent, a young man named Tang Fanglai, employed a unique Qimen Taoist Skill. He controlled a Thunder Dragon, which lunged, whipped its tail, and commanded thunder and lightning. His assault was unusually fierce, and his mastery of thunder techniques was quite impressive.

Han Wang smiled faintly. His eyes swept past the Yuxiao disciples standing behind Yu Du and Yue Yujie. "I see your esteemed sect’s new generation also has profound foundations and well-rounded cultivation. The youth are truly formidable."

Yu Du chuckled and shook his head, about to dismiss Han Wang’s praise as overly generous, when he saw the disciple Han Wang had dispatched returning on his Magical Artifact. ’A prodigy is proud and sees no equals,’ Yu Du mused. ’There’s no reason he would refuse. This is settled.’

Unexpectedly, upon entering the pavilion, the disciple walked quickly to Han Wang’s side, as if to whisper his report. Seeing the gazes of Yu Du and Yue Yujie follow the disciple, Han Wang’s brow twitched. He raised a hand to stop him. "Wait."

The disciple froze. Han Wang considered for a few breaths, then said, "Regardless of whether Junior Brother Xu agrees or not, there is nothing that cannot be said openly. You may report as you are."

The disciple hesitated for a moment, then announced, "Reporting to Junior Martial Uncle Han, Junior Martial Uncle Xu said he cannot accept this matter."

"What?" Yue Yujie had been sipping his tea, his heart surging like a torrent crashing against a cliff. His spirit was soaring, his mind already running through a thousand counters and a hundred variations for the duel. Hearing the disciple’s words, he couldn’t stop himself from slamming his teacup down on the table. "You’re saying Xuzhuang refuses?" he demanded.

The disciple jumped in surprise and took half a step back. Yu Du frowned slightly and called out, "Junior Brother Yue."

Yue Yujie snapped back to his senses, a knot of frustration tightening in his chest. In a heavy voice, he asked, "Young friend, have you told us everything? Why did... Fellow Daoist Xu refuse?"

Han Wang had been lost in thought since the disciple’s report. At this moment, a glint flashed in his eyes. He ordered, "Tell us exactly how Junior Brother Xu responded."

The disciple bowed respectfully. "Junior Martial Uncle Xu said that he is a Nascent Soul Seeker. To compete against a Golden Core Cultivator would be akin to an elder bullying a junior, so he will not accept."

"What?" Yue Yujie asked again, his body slumping back into his chair. He murmured in disbelief, "Xuzhuang has already formed his Nascent Soul?"

Although Han Wang had already suspected as much, he was still overjoyed. ’It’s true!’ he thought.

Yu Du was momentarily stunned. He drained the Spirit Tea from his cup in one gulp, quickly composing himself. He let out a long sigh and said, "His reputation is truly well-earned. To achieve the Nascent Soul realm in less than two hundred years of cultivation... Brother Han, your sect’s prodigy is truly worthy of respect and awe."

Han Wang just smiled without replying, instead changing the subject. "Since it is inconvenient for Junior Brother Xu to accept, I wonder about the matter of the duel...?"

Yu Du pondered for a moment. He saw Yue Yujie sitting in his chair, dazed, seemingly lost in disappointment or confusion. He sighed inwardly. ’Junior Brother Yue, if you can overcome this hurdle, the sky is still the limit. Don’t let this stop you.’

Shaking his head, Yu Du cupped his hands and said, "I can see that Junior Brother Yue’s mind is in turmoil. As for the duel, perhaps it’s best we call it off."

Before Han Wang could respond, the Sword Step Master abruptly stood up. Without a word, she walked to the edge of the pavilion, transformed into a streak of sword light, and flew towards the pavilion where Sun Suzhen and Xuzhuang were.

...

In another Flying Pavilion, Xuzhuang was unaware of all these twists and turns. After sending the disciple back to deliver his message, he went back to watching the competition with Sun Suzhen and the others.

Down in the arena, Tang Fanglai was commanding his Thunder Dragon. His Magical Power seemed endless, and his attacks were relentless, completely suppressing the disciple from the Nangong Family. Seeing that the outcome was all but decided, Sun Suzhen said, "I’ve heard rumors in the sect that Tang Fanglai considers you his half-master. If that’s the case, doesn’t that mean two of the top four will be from your tutelage?"

Xuzhuang shook his head and replied, "I only taught him a single Taoist skill. I never expected him to achieve this much."

Sun Suzhen sighed. "You only taught him one Taoist skill, and yet my own disciple can hardly stand against him. Alas."

"That’s your disciple, Senior Brother?" Xuzhuang took a closer look and recognized the foundation of the ’Myriad Rivers Converging Supreme Art’. He commented, "Tang Fanglai has also grasped the essence of the True Form Scripture. He must have been diligent in his studies within the sect. Your nephew’s loss is not without reason."

Sun Suzhen pointed at Xuzhuang and laughed. "I thought you were actually being kind enough to console me, Junior Brother. Turns out you were just mocking me, saying my teaching is worse than the sect elders’."

Xuzhuang laughed heartily. "Senior Brother, surely you know that Tang Fanglai must have had some fortuitous encounter to obtain his thunder-attuned bones, which allow him to command the Thunder Dragon so well. Do you really need me to console you over that?"

After their lighthearted banter, the match below concluded with Tang Fanglai’s victory. Sun Suzhen added, "This boy has what it takes to win the championship. There’s one more person left who also has a solid foundation. The situation for the final four is becoming quite unclear."

Xuzhuang first nodded, but then asked, "Of the six people we’ve seen today, only one was from a major family, and he was your disciple. Did the great families of the sect not participate in this competition?"

"Of course they participated," said Sun Suzhen. "However, the most meticulously nurtured disciples from the great families did not. After all, they have no lack of Daoist Scriptures, external resources, or even High-Achieving Cultivators to spar with. Why would they need to compete against their fellow disciples?"

"As for the rest, there were many skilled fighters among them. They were just a cut below the likes of Zhou Jun, Tang Fanglai, and Nephew Li, so they didn’t last long enough to enter your esteemed sight, Junior Brother." He laughed again after saying this.

Xuzhuang could only shake his head and drink his tea in silence. As the two were joking around, a sharp glint of light flashed outside. A streak of sword light descended into the pavilion, revealing a cold-looking woman in a long, flowing dress with a Sword Box on her back.

Sun Suzhen’s eyebrows rose. He rubbed his chin and smiled. "Senior Sister Bu, long time no see."

The Sword Step Master gave a slight nod, her gaze landing on Xuzhuang. "So you really have formed a Nascent Soul," she said coolly. "Congratulations, Junior Brother."

A calm smile appeared on Xuzhuang’s face. "Thank you for your congratulations, Senior Sister. I was merely fortunate."

The Sword Step Master remained noncommittal. She drew a jade slip from her sleeve with a fair hand and placed it on the small table beside Xuzhuang.

Xuzhuang raised an eyebrow. "Senior Sister, what is the meaning of this?"

The Sword Step Master stated flatly, "I benefited greatly from your words. Consider this technique your reward."

Without waiting for Xuzhuang to reply, she gracefully walked out of the pavilion, transformed into a streak of white light, and left the arena entirely.